Are you a fan of mystery fiction? Maybe you like Sherlock Holmes or Hercule Poirot or Sam Spade or V.I. Warshawski or Jessica Fletcher or… Well, we could go on and on. You can find your favorite detectives doing their detecting in books, on television, and in movies. As a rule, these gumshoes can identify the clues that will help them solve the mystery at hand.
A person in recovery from a substance use disorder can benefit from a little bit of detective work. You could think of the case as The Mystery of the Triggers. When you are working to leave drugs or alcohol in your past, it can be helpful to have a clear understanding of what triggers temptations or cravings that may undermine your recovery.
For a detective, the key things to figure out when solving a mystery can be summed up as motive, means, and opportunity. Who had a reason, a wherewithal, and the chance to do the dastardly deed. To get to those answers, the P.I. will likely ask a whole lot of questions. Those questions will start with who, what, where, why, and how.
When you are working to identify your triggers, who, what, where, why, and how can serve you well, too.
Who Do You Associate with Your Substance Use?
While you were under the influence of drugs or alcohol, there were likely a fair number of people you associated with your substance use. A reliable dealer or a favorite bartender, for example.
A group of heavy partyers or eager sexual partners. A person who could be counted on to provide an alibi to your spouse or your boss. When you are in recovery, you will be best served by avoiding all of these people and others who fall into similar categories. These are the folks who enabled your substance use, and they will likely do so again if you give them the chance.
By the same token, you will want to end any toxic relationships that negatively impacted your self-esteem over time and might continue to do so. In recovery, you should surround yourself with people who support you and your recovery.
What Do You Associate With Your Substance Use?
What objects were part of your drug use routine? What songs or kinds of music do you associate with your substance use? Do you have items of clothing that remind you of times you spent under the influence of your substance of choice? These sorts of things can call up memories that might get you feeling nostalgic—even though you know better. Your best move is to get rid of or avoid things that remind you of times spent using drugs or alcohol.
When Do You Think About Substance Use?
There might be times of day—or night—when you find your thoughts drifting toward your substance use history. Those times might be pegged to your old habits, or there might just be quiet times in your schedule when your thoughts can take off in ways that might not be productive. If you notice certain times are more difficult for you, it could be helpful to schedule engaging activities for those moments. A hobby, exercise, mindfulness practice, or regular time with friends are among the options that can help you through those moments.
Where Were You Using Drugs or Alcohol?
By now, you likely see a pattern—just like a good detective. We are encouraging you to leave behind the people and things you associate with your substance use and to ensure you fill difficult times with healthy and distracting activities. The same sort of advice applies to the places that have a connection to your use of drugs or alcohol. Those places might include a favorite bar or a house where people gathered to acquire and use substances. They might also include more personal spaces like your home, car, or office. In those cases, you may need to reframe those spaces, perhaps via redecoration, so that they are less problematic for you.
Why Were You Using Drugs or Alcohol?
This can be both the most difficult and the most essential question to answer. It is a question that can be—in fact, should be—discussed in therapy. Good mental health is key to a lasting recovery, so regular therapy is a good idea. In therapy, you can also work on defining a new “why” for yourself as you focus on why you have committed to a life free of drugs or alcohol.
How Were You Using Drugs or Alcohol?
When you were using substances, you likely had some distractions, excuses, and straight-up lies that you were employing to keep others in the dark about what you were up to. In recovery, you will, of course, want to leave those strategies behind. Replacing them with a commitment to holding yourself accountable and leaning on others to hold you accountable is the way to go.
No Mystery Here. We Can Help.
Located near St. Louis, Missouri, The Aviary Recovery Center helps individuals overcome substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health disorders. The Aviary is consistently recognized as one of the nation’s top substance use disorder treatment centers. If you are ready to make a change, we can help.
